F1 budget cap: ‘If we spent 300k more, 2021 championship outcome would have changed’ – Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship would have been different if Mercedes “spent 300,000” on car developments. Max Verstappen won a controversial title on the last lap of the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to pip Hamilton to the championship. Ad Last week, reports claimed two teams went over the limit of the $145 million budget cap with Red Bull and Aston Martin allegedly those who have broken the rules.

Japanese Grand PrixRicciardo in 'advanced stage of discussions' to join Mercedes as reserve — reportsYESTERDAY AT 18:29 It was expected that the FIA would announce their findings this week, but they announced there will be no news until Monday due to the “long and complex process”. “I remember last year in Silverstone we had our last upgrade and fortunately it was great and we could fight with it,” Hamilton told Sky Sports ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. “But then we would see Red Bull every weekend or every other weekend bring in upgrades.

They had, I think, at least four more upgrades from that point. “If we spent 300,000 on a new floor or an adapted wing it would have changed the outcome of the championship, naturally, because we would have been in better competition in the next race you had it on. So I hope that that’s not the case, for the sport.” The latest reports suggest Red Bull have allegedly had a “minor breach” of the financial regulations, which would be five per cent over the budget cap, which could lead to a deduction in championship points, or limitations on aerodynamic and wind tunnel testing.